UI/UX Articles and Interesting Tidbits of the Week
March//12//2021
Here are some interesting finds on UI/UX of the week!
1.
Building Honest Products. This is one of those articles always worth reading and reflecting upon, since it brings to the forefront of the discussion, the topic of Honesty in Design. It also, and rightfully so, showcases the connections this particular topic has with others just as relevant, including Dark Patterns in UX, Laws of UX and even Gestalt Principles. Honesty is of course one of the 10 Principles of Design according to Dieter Rams, and now more than ever, when the safety of our information, our privacy is a hot topic, this is a relevant article to consume. Highlight of the article includes:
“Honest design is simple and straightforward. You can almost think of design honesty as a grid in which design elements and techniques are layered on top of one another. Every layer adds potential room for trickery, even if unintentional. It’s your job as a designer to keep each layer of the design as transparent as possible as you continue to build the product. Many designs start with a sketch on paper or a digital tool. This is the most honest form of design. It is an illustration of a problem and solution. There’s nothing in the way of getting users from Point A to Point B. The path is transparent, clearly laid out and open.”
2.
Human-Centered Design in the Workplace. Interesting reflection hailing from The Fast Company and author Lilly Smith. The article documents the findings and insights captured at the Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies Summit, courtesy of panelists Vivianne Castillo, Thang Vo-Ta and Ivy Ross. Those panelists, all with distinctive roles and past experiences, focus on the topic of Human Centered Design having to percolate across the Organization itself, if it is indeed to be applicable to solutions that are devised to clients. The article also sheds some light on some of the career paths of the panelists, and how those experiences have shaped their approaches and perspectives. Highlight of the article includes:
“For Ross, stakeholders aren’t just those with wallets; Ross envisions a more holistic human-centered approach. “Companies have to not only do the right thing to help the circular economy but also educate people to that effect,” she explains. “We have to consider it’s really the ecosystem, and how we produce things in a way that’s life-enhancing for all of us — not just us but for the entire ecosystem. That has to be built into the fabric,” she says. “We have to start seeing ourselves as one — not only as people but as people and planet, and that has implications for how we think about things. How much we make, how we make it.””
3.
The State of AR and VR. Another great article from author Suzanne Scacca, this time around focused on why AR and VR haven’t become more prevailing devices/tools to capture users attention. The author focuses on the applicability of these tools on the web ecosystem, showcasing examples on how they are being implemented, highlighting both their virtuosity and shortcomings. The examples include Virtual or Self-Guided Tours, Virtual Try-On for Beauty and Apparel Purchasing experiences and Interactive 360º Product Views. Well worth a read. Highlight of the article includes:
“There are a number reasons why this particular use case is helpful to include on your arts, entertainment, or travel website. Normally, virtual self-guided tours are a good way to give visitors and travelers a taste of what’s to come. They can also be useful for getting visitors invested in the venue if they’re given up-close looks at their programs, exhibits, and so on. There’s another reason why you should be entertaining the usage of VR for this and that’s Covid-19. Just because people have to isolate or social distance, they still crave exploration and socialization. And while VR won’t give them the latter, it will certainly help them fulfill their wanderlust and need to be entertained, even when they’re stuck at home.”
